Holiday Plant Gift ideas
Amaryllis
As far as holiday plant gift ideas go an Amaryllis Bulb is a perfect choice. The bulbs and kits can be found almost everywhere as soon as the pumpkins are out of the grocery stores and nurseries. They are one of the easiest bulbs to bring to bloom and the large showy flower is well worth it! They would make a great gift for beginning gardeners or for people with young children. Once the plants start to grow kids really love waking up each morning to see how tall they have gotten.
They come in a nice variety of vibrant colours and sold usually in convenient kits that include the pot, bulb and potting mix. Once planted, place the potted bulb in a warm place with direct light. Water sparingly until stem appears then increase as bud and leaves appear. The blooms will last for several weeks.
You can also find Amaryllis as cut flowers around Christmas time in your local florist.
Christmas Cactus
In my opinion this a great plant for a keen gardener or plant person as its needs change throughout the year in order to enjoy blooms throughout December and January. Despite its name, the Christmas Cactus is not as popular as the Poinsettia but it still puts on a nice show this time of year as well as makes a nice gift especially because it can last for years. It is a true cactus without the typical cactus needles. The plant needs medium light and soil should not dry out. Its flowering during the season has to do with day length and night time temperatures.
Here’s a handy little chart:
| November to January | Flowering |
| February to March | Resting, infrequent watering, 55 degrees |
| April to May | Water well when plant dries out |
| June to August | Place outdoors in a shady spot |
| September to October | Plant prepares to flower, reduce daylight hours, keep drier and in a cool spot 55 degrees until buds form then you can gradually increase water and temperature |
Norfolk Pine
While this evergreen is not really a pine, it is a nice Christmas tree shape plant that would make a great holiday plant gift idea or accent in your home. Some things to keep in mind; these trees are NOT cold hardy and should be kept away from cold drafts. Also keep this in mind when shopping for one. Do not leave it in the car while you continue shopping. Since they are actually a tropical plant they also require humidity, especially in the winter months but this can be easily achieved by placing pot on a tray of pebbles or misting the plant with water. Norfolk Pines also require bright light and can even tolerate direct light. It grows slowly so buy the size accordingly. They would make a great gift for someone with a large sunny kitchen or even someone in a condo or apartment.
I know I have left off the ever popular Poinsettia from this list but I have written about it in the past.
I hope this article helps with your gift giving during the holiday season!